Fulham Away to Everton

The boys head up to our House of Horrors aka Goodison Park where the high flying Toffees await. Let's hope we take the same attitude and grit displayed in our last 2 matches. Everton is going to attack, but they will give up some opportunities. Zero expectations, so might as well go for it. Hard to remember, but Fulham did beat Everton in the League Cup earlier this year 2-1 (Berba, Bent). Also did find proof that Fuham can win at Goodison. The 1975 FA Cup semi-final, one of the greatest victories in club history.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1yAKezSKVU

 

Never a good day when Everton away is to play.

Akin to my fellow leftcoaster, not expecting anything from this match. But, continued cohesion and effort is a must in the squad. Keep building it, Rene.

Who knows, maybe Stekelenburg comes up big, Howard has a howler or two and a 1-1 draw is achieved.

COYW

ps - the suits in the FA Cup video are sublime.

 

Would like to see us get 1 point and who knows maybe even all 3. Maybe our recent play will surprise them.

 

Normally Everton away is in my Top "No, I'm not going to watch that" 3.

But considering the changes afoot looks like I may just have to subject myself to the inevitable.

Dammit.

 

Time for the law of averages to kick in. 2-1 Whites in the upset of the weekend.

 

Near the end of a journey from upstate NY to SF, I listened to GJ's call of the Villa match but subsequently got to watch the replay on tv. It's unlikely we can muster the same statistical dominance at Everton, but it would be gratifying to see evidence of the same spirit - that you win by attacking and scoring goals, as well as by denying the other guys numbers of chances to score. For too long, we were not doing either.

This Everton squad seems somewhat challenged offensively, especially without Baines. I'm impressed that they managed a draw at Arsenal anyway, but if we could somehow score first, it would make for a contest. But I'll settle for effort and intent.

 

Dunno why I'm weighing in cuz I'm ignorant of the comparative talent. But just judging from recent results and table placement, I'd say a point is good as a normal win for the locker room. Would need some luck.
Staying in the game should be chalked up as 'Good Result!'
0-1 is achievable

 

Everton are unbeaten at home this season and we all know our history @ Goodison. We've seen two home games under Meulensteen but what we don't know is the approach he'll take on the road. I'm also not sold that we've fixed our possession/shots against issues. We did well against Villa in that regard, but most teams have. Against Spurs, while we created more chances, we still ceded 61% possession and gave up 18 shots with 5 on target. That was RM's first game in charge though.

Everton have been playing really well, even with Oviedo in for Baines. In the 3 matches since Baines' injury, Oviedo has 2 goals, 1 assist and they've put up 2 clean sheets while only conceding one goal (v Stoke/ManU/Arse). Even though Martinez has opened up their approach offensively, their defense is tied for 2nd in the League in fewest goals conceded (14). The back four of Coleman, Jagielka, Distin and Baines (Ovideo) give the Toffees good and balance and are very complimentary. Barry has been a rock in front of the back four, Howard has been sensational and they have 8 clean sheets from 15 matches.

In our favor, Lukaku is a good matchup for Senderos who does better with the bigger, stronger types. We've held Lukaku to 1 goal in 3 matches against Fulham (225') with the lone goal coming @WBA last season. Also, McCarthy is out. It'll be interesting to see if they slot in Osman at cm or if they move Mirallas to the middle and start Deulofeu on the left. Also interesting will be to see if we stick with Sidwell or go back to Kasami.

Since both RM's have taken over, there are a lot of similarities in style between the two clubs. I think it's ultimately going to come down to not only which midfield can break up the other's attack more but how high up the pitch they're able to do so. Unfortunately, I think we lack the overall quality that they have and lose 2-0. I can't help but wish we hadn't beaten them in the Cup match as there may have been a greater chance of them underestimating us.

 

READ IT AND WEEP

LITERALLY

http://www.sportingintelligence.com/201 ... ry-131201/

 

The Top 5 reasons I don't expect anything from this match.

1. The match is at Goodison.
2. The match is at Goodison.
3. The match is at Goodison.
4. Everton has more talent in it's squad.
5. The match is at Goodison.

Competitive fire is all I expect. Anything else is a bonus.

 

Pre-Match Report: http://www.theguardian.com/football/201 ... uad-sheets

Fulham represent a test of Everton's mind-set as much as their quality. The London club have never won a league game at Goodison Park, where Everton return following a fine week on the road. The home side can ill-afford to show complacency against a side that recorded its first win under the new manager Rene Meulensteen last week, and must do so without James McCarthy. Andy Hunter

Kick-off 3pm Venue Goodison Park Last season Everton 1 Fulham 0

Referee A Taylor This season G9, Y31, R2, 3.90 cards per game Odds H 2-5 A 17-2 D 4-1

Everton

Subs from Robles, Deulofeu, Jelavic, Heitinga, Naismith, Alcaraz, Hibbert, Stones, Vellios

Doubtful Alcaraz (hamstring)

Injured Baines (toe, Jan), Koné (knee, May), Gibson (knee, May)
Everton v Fulham: Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic
Suspended McCarthy (one match)

Form DWWDDD

Discipline Y27 R0

Leading scorer Lukaku 8

Fulham

Subs from Stockdale, Kasami, Ruiz, Richardson, Duff, Zverotic, Bent, Christensen, Amorebieta

Doubtful Amorebieta

Injured Rodallega (groin, Jan), Hangeland (sciatic nerve, Jan), Briggs (hernia, Jan)

Suspended None

Form WLLLLL

Discipline Y24 R0

Leading scorer Sidwell 3

 

:crying-yellow:

 

Stekelenburg; Riether, Senderos, Hughes, Riise; Parker, Sidwell, Karagounis; Dejagah, Berbatov, Kacaniklic.

Bench: Stockdale, Zverotic, Richardson, Kasami, Duff, Ruiz and Bent.

Thought Dejagah had suffered a knock last time, but I guess not. Either way, glad to see him still in there. Interesting bench, no Amorebieta or Taarabt.

 

Still encouraged by our renewed energy under Rene. Can't believe how professionals can just quit like they obviously had under Jol. Wish we hadn't conceded the late flurry to contribute to the somewhat deceiving score line. Not willing to concede any points to anyone anywhere at this point. Need to start getting some unexpected ones soon. Might as well start at home against Citeh, although they're raining goals onto sides with suspect defenses right now...like ours.